Severe thunderstorm watch in effect across Philadelphia region

National Weather Service: Storm watch remains until 7 p.m.

Damaging winds and hail are expected to rip through the Philadelphia region Wednesday afternoon, according to a severe weather advisoryissued by the National Weather Service.

Conditions are favorable for a possible tornado as well, forecasters said.

The warning from the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly covers portions of southeast and central Pennsylvania, including the Philadelphia region, as well as south and central New Jersey, Delaware, eastern Maryland and eastern Virginia.

The advisory is in effect through 7 p.m.

The storm is expected to bring scattered and damaging wind gusts of up 70 mph, as well as the possibility of hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter. Isolated tornadoes are possible, too.